/ ˈliːniənt; NAmE / adjective
not as strict as expected when punishing sb or when making sure that rules are obeyed :
a lenient sentence / fine
The judge was far too lenient with him.
► le·ni·ency / -ənsi; NAmE / (also less frequent le·ni·ence ) noun [ U ]:
She appealed to the judge for leniency.
► le·ni·ent·ly adverb :
to treat sb leniently
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (originally meaning mild or soothing): from Latin lenient- soothing, from the verb lenire , from lenis mild, gentle.